main

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Largest or most important of several similar things.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun and cannot be graded: the main road, not 'more main'.

   Patterns

   • the main reason
   • the main road

   The main road was closed for repairs.

   Her main concern is safety.

   The hotel's main entrance faces the park.

2. 2nouncountable

   A large pipe or cable carrying water, gas or electricity to buildings.

   Grammar: Often plural in British English: the mains.

   Patterns

   • the water main
   • the mains

   A water main burst on Elm Street.

   The gas main was shut off.

   The plug connects to the mains.

3. 3nounsingularliteraryold-fashioned

   The open sea.

   Grammar: Literary; used with the.

   Patterns

   • the main

   The ship crossed the main.

   Pirates roamed the Spanish main.

   Sailors loved the open main.

Word forms

Common combinations

main reason

The main reason is cost.

main character

The main character is a young pilot.

main course

The main course was grilled fish.

main road

Turn left onto the main road.

in the main

In the main, the results were good.

Synonyms and how they differ

principal

Principal is more formal and used for people or roles as well.

chief

Chief often describes a person or leading part, such as chief executive.

primary

Primary suggests first in order or importance, in a more formal tone.

central

Central stresses being at the middle or core of something.

Opposites

Word family

mainly adverb

for the most part

mainstream noun

the ideas or tastes shared by most people

mainland noun

the principal landmass of a country

Commonly confused: main or mane?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “main”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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